Innovative Solutions Canada - Artificial intelligence (AI)

Who is eligible?

• Canadian companies with pre-commercial innovative prototypes in artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), and automated decision-making
• Businesses developing advanced sensor and surveillance technologies
• Firms specializing in multi-sensor fusion and data patterning technologies
• Canadian enterprises advancing operational technology, IT infrastructure, or communication technologies
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing innovative solutions for government and military applications

Who is not eligible

• Companies that are not Canadian offerors, meaning those without a permanent place of business in Canada.
• Organizations whose proposal includes innovations that are already commercially available or have previously been sold on a commercial basis.
• Businesses proposing an innovation that has already been awarded a contract under the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP), or the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) Testing Stream, unless specific conditions for reapplication are met.
• Offerors not meeting the requirements for Canadian content (minimum 80% Canadian goods or services in the proposal).
• Companies that do not own or have exclusive rights to the intellectual property (IP) of the proposed innovation.

Eligible expenses

• Costs associated with the development and testing of late-stage pre-commercial prototypes in real-life operational environments.
• Procurement of Canadian goods or Canadian services directly involved in the prototype testing process (minimum 80% of total proposal costs must be Canadian goods or services).
• Expenses required to secure and maintain necessary certifications, licenses, and approvals to safely deploy and test the proposed innovation.
• Personnel salaries and wages for Canadian employees and contractors involved in the prototype testing and operational deployment.
• Costs related to risk assessment and the implementation of mitigation measures to ensure safety, security, and compliance during the operational test.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies with a permanent place of business in Canada and conducting activities within Canada.

• Advancement over current state-of-the-art solutions (up to 40 points).
• Suitability and robustness of the intellectual property (IP) strategy (up to 12 points).
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) benefits, based on established policies and measures (up to 12 points).
• Credible and well-developed commercialization strategy (up to 32 points).
• A minimum total score of 60 out of 96 points is required to qualify at the selection stage.

• Step 1: Review Solicitation Documents
  • Carefully read all solicitation documents related to the call for proposals.
  • Ensure you understand the scope, requirements, and evaluation criteria.
• Step 2: Assess Innovation Alignment
  • Confirm your innovation addresses the specified problem statements and meets one or more of the outlined outcomes.
  • Verify your innovation is at the appropriate technology readiness level and ready for operational testing.
• Step 3: Gather Required Information and Documentation
  • Prepare evidence of Canadian ownership or exclusive licensing of intellectual property.
  • Compile details demonstrating compliance with financial, operational, and Canadian content requirements.
  • Document information regarding certifications, risk mitigation measures, and operational readiness.
  • Develop a commercialization strategy and an intellectual property (IP) strategy relevant to your innovation.
  • Prepare documentation on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices.
• Step 4: Complete Application Form
  • Access the application portal via the "Apply/Login" link provided in the call for proposals.
  • Fill out the online application, providing all required details as per the solicitation.
  • Identify the problem statement(s) and outcome(s) your innovation addresses.
• Step 5: Submit Application
  • Upload all required supporting documents through the application portal.
  • Review your application thoroughly for completeness and accuracy.
  • Submit your proposal before the closing date and time (July 22, 2025, 14:00 Eastern Time).
• Step 6: Application Confirmation
  • Receive confirmation of submission through the portal or by email.
  • Retain the confirmation for your records.
• Step 7: Respond to Requests for Additional Information
  • Monitor email for any requests from the evaluating body for clarification or additional information.
  • Provide responses within the timeframe indicated.

• The Pathway to Commercialization (PTC) allows eligible SMEs whose innovations reach market-readiness (TRL 9) after a Testing Stream contract to sell directly to the Government of Canada.
• Innovations placed on the PTC source list may be available for government purchase for up to three years following successful assessment.
• Participation in the PTC precludes eligibility for future Testing Stream contracts for the same innovation.
• All proposals must clearly identify which specific outcomes they address from the call for proposals.